CAIRO: A policeman was shot in North Sinai Sunday night while in pursuit of a fugitive who escaped, amidst fears that he may escape through an underground tunnel into Gaza.
Diaa Fathy Fotouh, 22, was shot while in pursuit of the fugitive by a bullet which pierced his left breastplate inches from his heart. He remained on the ground bleeding until being discovered and taken to Al-Arish hospital where he underwent immediate surgery. He is now in stable condition.
The fugitive, Mossalem Auda Suleiman from Al Sawarka tribe, was sentenced in absentia on charges of smuggling and has been at large ever since.
Rafah journalist Mustapha Singer said the chase was reckless of Fotouh, as police officers are given instructions not to approach fugitives unless they can be safely brought in.
“You are not supposed to chase him into the desert because many officers have been injured that way, he told Daily News Egypt.
North Sinai security forces conducted two raids with 12 armored cars this morning in Sheikh Zowayed and Rafah searching for the suspect amidst fears that he may slip through into the neighboring Gaza Strip via one of the underground tunnels.
The raids were conducted in the neighborhoods of Shabana and Agra as Suleiman reportedly owns a house in each area according to Singer who added that more raids were expected.
Tagammu party member Hussein El Qayem said that more and more people were now bearing arms in North Sinai as tensions persist between different Bedouin tribes as well as between citizens and security forces.
“Now it is better to walk down the street armed because you know that many people around you are carrying some sort of weapon, he said.
Protests were held last year by Al Sawarka tribe against the convictions of many of its members for smuggling.
